White and off-white have long been the staple colors for modern kitchens. And, while whites and off-whites are still projected to popular options for your kitchen cabinets, new shades are increasing in popularity. As trends move away from ultra-modern kitchens and some traditional kitchen design elements are back in vogue, color choices are shifting accordingly. Whether you want to be trendy or avoid what is popular, we have answers about which cabinet color other people are going to choose.
Which Color is Most Popular for Kitchen Cabinets?
The National Kitchen + Bath Association conducts yearly research on trends for kitchen and bathroom remodels. Their report has long touted whites and off-whites as the most popular color for kitchens. However, their report for 2023 has revealed that blue and green have dethroned white. Now 45% of those surveyed chose blue as the most popular kitchen color, and 37% chose blue.
While color may be making a comeback in the kitchen, that doesn’t mean people are necessarily choosing their cabinets as the spot to experiment with color. Most kitchens are constructed in neutral colors with some elements that “pop” with color. The most popular places to add in an accent color are:
- Backsplashes
- Artwork
- Accent furniture
- Wall paint
- Wallpaper
- Fabric accents
It is not too common, but it is certainly a sound design choice to add color to the kitchen cabinets. In 2023, unlike past years, if you’re choosing a neutral for your kitchen cabinets, it is more likely to be a warmer or more natural color than it is to be a stark white.
Other Kitchen Trends
When you’re choosing a color for your kitchen cabinets, you’re not making the choice in a vacuum. Your color has to work with your overall style of the kitchen as well as the other materials and colors already in the space. When you’re making these decisions, some current trend information can help.
For example, trends for overall kitchen styles are shifting in 2023. According to that same research, the most popular kitchen styles are:
- Transitional (70%)
- Contemporary (59%)
- Modern (55%)
- Organic/natural (51%)
- Farmhouse (47%)
Styles can be defined multiple ways, which is why the percentages do not add up to a whole. In fact, the top style, transitional, is all about blending traditional elements in with the modern style that has dominated kitchen interior design for so long. Transitional style is more likely to include intense color than strictly modern or contemporary kitchens.
Which Shades of Green and Blue?
Those who want to stick to white and off-white cabinets can hardly go wrong in any shade. When you’re choosing a green or blue for your kitchen cabinets, things are a little bit trickier.
For green, choosing a warmer shade makes sense to keep the kitchen warm and match the warmer neutrals that are most popular in 2023.
For blue, deep and rich shades like navy have been most popular over the last few ways. However, you could also choose to distinguish yourself and choose something paler or even grey-toned.
Want a Little Personalized Input?
Our cabinet painting and finishing experts service greater Contra Costa County, and we’re always happy to weigh in on your next project.